The legal aftermath of the shooting over seven years ago is currently taking place in Amsterdam. Four people are on trial after flight MH17 was hit by a rocket while on its way from the Netherlands to Malaysia. None of them, three Russians and one Ukrainian citizen, are present in court, and only one of them is represented by a lawyer.
On Monday, several of the survivors, people who lost children, parents and siblings in the plane crashed. Around 90 relatives are expected to testify over the next few days.
– They’re lying
Ria van der Steen, who lost her father and stepmother, quoted the author Alexander Solzhenitsyn as explaining:
– They’re lying. We know they’re lying, and they know we know they’re lying, she said.
– I am full of revenge, hatred, anger and fear, said Van der Steen, who was first out in the witness box.
According to international investigators, the plane, which belonged to Malaysia Airlines, was hit by a Russian-made rocket, which was fired from separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.
Russia rejects all interference.
According to Van der Steen, it is difficult to put an end to it and move on before those responsible are convicted.
(The case continues below the picture)
The reconstructed wreckage of the plane that was shot down over Ukraine in 2014. Photo: Peter Dejong / AP
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Lost all the kids
Australian Vanessa Rizk, who lost her parents, also turned her mind to Russia.
– How would the perpetrators have felt if it was their loved ones? How would Putin and his corrupt Russian government respond? she asked.
Peter van der Meer also took the witness stand on Monday. He lost his three daughters at the age of twelve, ten and seven, as well as his ex-wife, and feels that life is ruined.
– I hope the perpetrators feel an urge to speak out after the story I have told you today, so that they can look at themselves in the mirror and not have to lie to their children and grandchildren about what they did on July 17, 2014, he said .
Judge Hendrik Steenhuis has warned that the verdict may fall on September 22, 2022, but that it may not happen until November or December next year.
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